The UpNUp Podcast

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', we're back again with the 3rd #ListenerAppreciationWeek episode. This episode is a chance for us to connect with YOU the listener but more importantly, giving our listeners the platform to drive topics, promote their projects and have great conversation around what’s important to them.

For The Listener By The Listener

This weeks guest is loyal listener & culture cultivator, @somalygurl. Make sure to tune in and show some love to a listener who's always on #TheUpNUp

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast' owner/visionary and the "Chef in charge' of 'Alcove'(@alcoveseattle) restaurant herself, Emme Ribero Collins(@chefemme_), shares her journey of cooking up her own recipe to success. From taking over her family's business and reigniting the space into her vision of a 32-seat dining room with four communal tables designed to accommodate a family-style service and encourage a sense of community and her Brazilian culture. From all the ups and downs and ups again, the Chef Emme story is definitely one that will keep us all on #TheUpNUp

In this episode of ‘The UpNUp Podcast’, dedicated and determined CEO/Founder of BAR Digital (@bardigital), Bobby Gay, shares his journey to building a platform that is helping professional athletes around the world see the many fruits of their labor for generations to come. From his numerous experiences starting out working as an understudy to some of the sports worlds best in business, to now having built a team of clients such as Jordin Canada (@jordincanada), Bradley McDougald (@babylead), Willie Reed Jr. (@showtimereed33), and many more who make up some of BAR’s roster, the story of BAR Digitals emergence is definitely one to keep us all on #TheUpNUp

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', Hip-Hop artist and community leader himself, 'Rell Be Free' (@rellbefree) shares how he found a way to marriage both uplifting his people while still elevating his musical trajectory to be a "peoples champ" that his community needs. From his early experiences being taught black literature to creating showcases at the early age of 15 years old, he was destined to not only create art but also create change through it. Having put out several projects, performing on countless stages, it's also his work helping create institutions for the youth such as WA-BLOC (Washington Building Leaders of Change)(@wa_bloc) that his community can actually access as a tangible resource. Nonetheless, the story of Rell is one to definitely keep us all on #TheUpNUp

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', creator, visionary, and host of 'Balanced Black Girl Podcast' (@balancedblackgirlpodcast), Lestraundra Alfred (@balancedles) gives an inside look at her evolution through building a platform that aims to guide women of color towards living their best balanced life. From investing in equipment and jumping into the game to building a following of strong passionate women who are now helping spread her message. Whether its running a successful podcast, launching her book club which led to having a personal book club session with our forever First Lady Michelle Obama or continuing to exercise media ownership, the 'Balanced Black Girl' journey is one to keep us all on #TheUpNUp

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', founder/owner of fast rising fitness and lifestyle brand 'Fly Above', Najee Ladd Ali, gives us a look at his journey through redefining what it means to go beyond just being an athlete. Facing obstacles navigating the "student athlete' balance of wanting a thorough education but being demanded to only have time for sports, he began educating himself and was able to carve his own lane into entrepreneurship. Whether its uplifting his community through health & wellness or being a positive example for young athletes in his city, this story is one to definitely keep us all on #TheUpNUp

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', CEO/Founder of widely and culturally celebrated coffee cafe 'Boon Boona Coffee' (@boonboonacoffee), Efrem Fesaha, gives us an inside look at a journey of persistence to reaching the point of cutting the ribbon and opening the doors to his new cafe. He spent many years of doing finance work in the "corporate world" for large companies, eventually jumping off the "corporate cliff" and using his talents for his own venture to build a bridge between African specialty coffee and America. From drawing up a business plan in 2011 and bringing it to life 8 years later through all the ups and downs, the 'Boon Boona' story is definitely one to keep us all on #TheUpNUp

In this episode of ‘TheUpNUp Podcast’ passionate and committed leader within the arts, Phillip Chavira, shares his journey to becoming the first person of color to be an Executive Director for the ’Intiman Theatre’(@intimantheatre). From witnessing the inequalities within the arts early on in life to working his way up to co-producing the Tony Award nominated Broadway play ‘Eclipsed’ featuring Lupita Nyongo and Danai Gurira, and making history as the first ever Broadway play with an all-female cast, the barriers were no match. The community elevation through his work with 'Intiman Theatre' along with his commitment to “keep color on stage”, is definitely a story to keep us all on #TheUpNUp

(Please excuse the minor technical difficulties during this episode)

In the episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', Co-owner of premiere retail apparel boutique 'ETC Tacoma' (@etctacoma), Umi Wagoner, takes us on a journey of two friends who leveraged their likeminded taste for fashion into an established brand and business. From starting out selling streetwear apparel in high-school and college, they were able to reach a greater goal of building a high-end retail store that could serve as a staple in their community of Tacoma and beyond. Whether it's about how they sustained through the early entrepreneurship obstacles or providing opportunities for young creatives by opening up their store for their community to have a space to call home, the story of 'ETC Tacoma's emergence is definitely one to keep us all on #TheUpNUp

In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', founder and owner of emerging cosmetics brand 'Eves Lashes' (@eveslashes_), Hawa Arero, takes us through a journey of creating a lane for herself and others around her. As a black muslim woman, she understood how important it was for her to not only provide high quality affordable cosmetic products for women like her, but more importantly showing consumers a more diverse look at what beauty can be. Whether it's about how she went against the corporate grain to build something for herself or finding ways to bring women together and empower them, the story of 'Eves Lashes' will definitely be one to keep us all on #TheUpNUp